Charlie Stockford - Completes the '24th Marathon des Sables'

Charlie........ Out!

This is the last entry I will write on the MdS 2009......

It has been the experience of my life, one that I will talk about for the rest of my life!!! Like anything it is the people that make any experience, thank you MdS’ers 2009!!!

Will I do it again? Absolutely!!
Will I do other similar races, taking up my annual leave each year? Without a shadow of a doubt!!

There is talk of a similar distance race in 2010 with 2 very good friends of mine, can’t wait and have the deposit ready and have another charity in mind. Next year I want to run the London Marathon, the Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc (which is happening as I write this entry). I also want to seriously start my Iron Man goal so have the London 70.3 Half Ironman in my sights & intend on running in one Triathlon before the end of this year and next year I want to complete a half Iron Man….. The Verdon Canyon in France is also high on the list. To this day my family has never seen me complete any marathon or ultra marathon so the London Marathon next year is hot on my list… Also, I will be forcing them to watch me finish the Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc. I need to thank my family for making the trip to the Sahara Desert to see me cross the finish line this year; I am just so sorry that this didn’t quite work out… I love you for it though and it means a lot to me, more than you probably know. Mum, Dad & Jo – you are the best!!!

I also want to thank everyone who helped me raise over £5,430 for ‘Get Kids Going’. Thank you so very much, amazing effort….

I have never been in the desert before, I have never been forced into a group of literally best group of people I have ever met, I have never run over 200km in the desert before but I would do it all again in a heartbeat… There are some people from the MdS that I have grown very close to both during the MdS and after and I can honestly say the Marathon des Sables has changed my life. Here is not the time or the place to discuss this but as soon as I returned from the desert I started to make many changes of which I know I will be happier. For everyone that was a part of the MdS 2009 I thank you so much for making it the event in my life that I cherish the most.

Happy training everybody,
Charlie

The last night in the desert....

So, here it is...... The moment over 800 runners had been training for for over 2 years!!! Patrick Bauer gives each runner thier medal as they cross the fnish line.... Mixed emotions, we had run the longest ever stage, had the craziest weather, run well over 200km in the desert but all wanting a little bit bit more (at least I did)....
I think we waited on the line until everyone had come in for around 5 hours, best experience of the race...... Amazing place, amazing people, amazing friends......

All finished off with the Paris Symphonic Orchestra playing for us for an eveninf concert in the desert.....

Day 9 - 42km Marathon Stage!!

Day 9 Marathon Day - 43km - Sad day...... The last day..... :o(
Stage 1 - 12km
Stage 2 - 8km
Stage 3 - 8km
Stage 4 - 15km


The last day or day following the longest day is always a marathon 42km stage....

REST DAY - MUCH NEEDED

After crashing out at 06,00 I arose at around 12 mid-day to find BW still not back..... I began my search and after 3 hrs (I think) I found him heading towards me across the wilderness.... All in camp we began more rest..... 91km down and 42km to look forwar to tomorrow.....

Charlie Stockford runs the Longest ever MdS stage!

Day 7
91km
Stage 1 - 12km
Stage 2 - 14km
Stage 3 - 10km
Stage 4 - 14km
Stage 5 - 14km
Stage 6 - 15km
Stage 7 - 12km

This stage was long, hot, uncomfortable but we were about to finish the LONGEST EVER STAGE ON THE MdS so here goes.... It took me 20 hours (from memory) I raced all day from 09,00 to 14,30 when I collapsed in a medics tent.... Uncontrollable once again before eating, drinking, resting and I was off again.... Passed Penny at the half way point and totally blanked her as was sooo in the zone - sorry Pen, big regret....... Got to a camp at 11,00 where Ipassed out while, yes you guessed it - the uncontrollable shakes had returned..... I woke up at 12,30 and set off at 01,00 and bumped into Guy when walked together for rest of the night, amazing comradary and strength between us both to carry on regardless was incredible.. Guy pushing hard even though in a lot of pain from feet and sickness. Ran into Tim and Nick at 02,30 and teamed up again till finish. Tim and Guy struggleing but were pushing each other on, Nick & I following but chatting at the same time, torches and green lazer...
Arrived at 06,15 and headed straight for the tent and passed out..... AMAZING DAY AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN IF I HAD HALF THE CHANCE......

LOVE YOU ULTRA RUNNERS, WE MADE OURSELVES PROUD THAT DAY!!!

NUFF SAID!!!!

THE MOST AMAZING SCENERY EVEEER!!!

THE ALL IMPORTANT LAER THAT LED US ALL BACK TO BASE CAMP THROUGH THE NIGHT........ INCREDIBLE!!!

WITH NICK, TIM & GUY - COMRADERY A IT'S BEST!!!

THE END RESULT!!! NICE....

Day 6 - Getting into it!!!

Day 6 - 36km
Stage 1 - 7,2km
Stage 2 - 7km
Stege 3 - 11,4km
Stege 4 - 11,2km

Freeeeeeaaakin Freeeeeezing..... Start gun, 09.00 - 36km Route around bivouac due to wet and new location problems.. Desert or moon like landscape, endless – no other words for it… 3 check points and 3 great stages… Today was hard for me, I was convinced Bruce and I were going to run together but today we split and ran our seprate races which was cool in a way as I would experince my own race but the best thing about running long distance events is having a mate there to share it with..... But, we decided best to run seperate, so we did!!! Being an unexperienced long distance runner (in the desert) I took it easy...

CP1 eventually came in to view and I was pleased to get there! I got my water ration and popped a Effer pill. Feeling rejuvenated I headed off. The next two stages were a breeze (yeah right) but was happy with my progress.....

The day finished with a hard but relatively short stint in some dunes. I was pleased to be finished and as soon as I did I got my legs elevated ad went into my uncontrollable shaking mode, nice!!!

I had taken around 5 & 1/2 hours. Everyone felt pretty beat up after day two and it was reassuring that almost everyone had found the days course hard.
Tomorrow was the longest stage of the race a massive 91km (the longest in the history of the race). By far the longest stage in the MDS's 24 year history!

We were daunted but pleased, we may of been robbed of a day but now we had a new bragging right!

Day 5 - WE ARE RUNNERS!!! AND RUNNING!!

36km
Stage 1 – 12 km
Stage 2 – 12 km
Stege 3 – 12 km

Up at 06.30 - ration food – shower and took some hexamine tabs from Zane and all on coach for 07.00. We arrived at start line around 30 mins later just off the side of the road and at the base of the ERG CHEBBI DUNES, only the largest moving dunes in the world….. Some 28km long and 8km wide.. ENOURMOUS!!!! 1st water ration of 2 x 1.5 ltr bottles handed out and took place by country flags All water handouts with names and numbers, had my 1st desert number 2 and took heaps of start line shots before we were finally off…. The helicopter, news crews, quad bikes, 840 runners, 4x4, spectators, photographers were all a little overwhelming and the sight of the biggest dunes in Morocco drawing ever nearer was incredible. We had a final speech from Patrick before a 10 to 1 countdown and off we went!!!!!!!!!! The run to the start of dunes was incredible as they seriously got bigger and bigger…. Very excited about the prospect of running into the desert….
Check point 1 after dunes, 1,5 litre ration of water, Power-bar and we were off again…. Saw Deb, Zane, Michaela, Matt & Sarah.. Bruce and I headed off for a 45 min quick run with Bruce.. Maybe an error, actually – certainly an error…. The Sahara Shuffle is something I wish I had picked up on sonner than I did….

Quote of the day from myself at check point 1 while having a number 1:

Bruce – there is a fly on my Penis!!

2nd check point didn’t come for ages and was a real eye opener as to how to not only complete this race but complete it in a good time… Steady, at your own pace and not to let the speed of others worry you…. There were walkers who just kept on walking at 6 or 7km / hr who completed the race in extraordinary time... We ended with dunes and the bivouac.. I managed to put away x 2 expedition foods after the race… The 1st at 16.00 and then again at 19.00 so went to bed with a v full belly…

During the evening we had visits from Angelique, Leticia, Celia and various other French volunteers to cheer us up which was greatly appreciated by all the lads… J From 19.00 the desert is pretty cold as to say from 19.30 after the sun has gone down we were all pretty much restricted to our sleeping bags. My £170 PDF Sleeping Bag proved a wise and fantastic choice as it kept me perfectly warm in the near freezing nights… Awesome!!! Fragle rock or Ollie was on Valium and after a lot of laughs and some quiet mumbles at 20.05 I reckon all 7 of us fell asleep…

Day 4 - The fattest MdS yet....

On bus for 08.00 and off to 5* hotel for Kit Checks and more food, ha ha ha.. Beautiful hotel in the desert, queued again, great team of lads in queue, only 45 mins for Passport check, suitcase check in, Shirt number, Flare and Salt, ECG and Medical.. Done by 11.00 for a 2 hour wait until 13.00.. LUNCH – more buffets… I reckon I am putting on weight so far with all the food on offer….

Lunch good, lazing by pool, roof of hotel, Louise, Lou, Adam, Tom, Pen, Jen, Zane, Michaela, Debs all present and had a lovely day... Speech of Patrick, average.. Best comment:
‘We, as a group need to make a decision from here (expecting length of race) cancel the race or carry on as planned?!?
Umm difficult one Patrick...

Discussed, safety, route, doctors, volunteers etc, before heading back to hotel had a quick shop, tea, dinner, re-pack, bed...

Happy Training

Charlie

Day 3 - It's all about the kit....

Up at 08.30 to breakfast, rumours spreading like wild fire.. MdS organisers came with news bulletin…… Wait for it…….

'You will be sleeping here again tonight other than that we do not have any other information….. Are there any questions?

I THOUGHT HILARIOUS!!!!!!

Breakfast to dinner was spent kicking back, talking and enjoying what is an awesome groups company. We are heavily into the Moroccan tea, Zane, Michaela, Debs, Sarah and a short run with Louise, Lou and a few others amongst some sunbathing when the clouds parted before more rain….. Brilliant!!!
Contending with rain, sun, rain, beautiful sun, downpour, gorgeous sunshine, tropical thunderstorm most of the day… The tents were properly waterlogged, no chance of retrieving therefore the 1st day cancelled. Tomorrow we have our kit checks and handover of bags. Kept on meeting new faces of the group like Penelope, Jenny, Adam, Langers, Adam etc etc, some really awesome guys and girls... Packed kit for the 4th time - last check dinner with Pen and Jen and bed...

Happy Training!!!!
CS

Day 2 - The day the rain came!!!!

Woke at 06.30 or should I say 06.00 as I had my alarm on Spanish time..
Coach moved forward 1 hour without us knowing so a quick breaky, we did manage to have a massive breakfast of everything and were successfully on the coach with Gary, Jeremy, Michaela, & Debs for 08.30 – of course even though we were all on the bus for 08.30 we didn’t move until 09.30. The most eventful, unwelcome and unexpected part of the trip started exactly as we departed….. RAIN!!!!!!! The rain started literally as we pulled away from Oz… Obviously with a near 300km to travel and the fact we were in the Sahara Desert nobody was at all worried…. How foolish we were, ha ha ha…. The rain came down, harder, harder and harder for the entire journey… I emailed this to my mum and sister – (little did I know how much it would all change).

All amazing, amazing group, can't wait.... Chilly in evening, spot of rain this am in Oz but otherwise warm.... Just been handed race guide on coach out to Start line...

Day 1 - running to Erg Chebbi - 30km
Day 2 - Erg Chebbi to Erg Znaigui - 33km
Day 3 - Erg Znaigui to Oued el Jdaid - 39km
Day 4 - Oued el Jdaid to Ouchanne Alnif - 80,5km
Day 5 - rest day or completing day 4
Day 6 - Ouchanne Alnif - Bou Inagai - 42km
Day 7 - Saturday 04/04/2009 - Bou Inagagai to El Hazbane. Finish line is in a town called El Hazbane.... No idea where it is, google map it....

See you next Saturday in El Hazbane, ring Sarah from Best of Morocco on Tuesday on - 08450264588
All well,
Charlie
Beautiful journey if not for the rain... Stopped for a pee pee which also turned out to be a very funny aspect of the week with Angelica our tour rep, French from near Brittany, very cute and a very sweet girl volunteering for her first time on the MdS…. Wee stops were infrequent and I was introduced to the She Wee - too funny (don’t ask). We got to the 1st bivouac at about 16.00 and made the 1st drop off, girls loaded up not enough space. We decided to wait for the next army truck but instead we were shipped to a car park where runners started to buy warm weather gear and plastic as all started to stress about the severe wet we were not prepared for….. Patrick Bauer appeared after about 2 hours before we were shipped to Hotel Salam where we checked into sh*t-hole of a room with Bruce and Matt... We then ate around 11.00, welcomed all the initial runners who were shipped to the 1st bivouac and went to bed around 12.00....
Happy Training!!!!
CS

Day 1 - Because we're RUNNERS!!

WE'RE RUNNERS!!!!! Funny story from our Valencia training trip.. Told 2 annoying chicks we couldn't give them a lift to Madrid - Why?

Because we're RUNNERS!!

No other reason, simply We Run!!!! Telling this now as I think that statement may pop up frequently!!! We're RUNNERS!!!!

It's 06.15 on Thursday 28th March... I have had so many emails and texts of support in the last 48 hours, it’s been INCREDIBLE.... Thank you all so much for the support through Facebook, Post, SMS, Email, Just Giving, MSN, Hotmail, Homing Pigeon, it’s been truly amazing... I woke this morning to an Inspirational best friend of mine who tackled a 1km run on the treadmill, its a start Legend, remember every great journey starts with a single step.. Ha ha ha :-)

Updated my Facebook page: Charlie is runner number 741 – http://www.darbarboud.com/

Slept well, very well considering and I am full of excitement, nerves, worry, anticipation - you name it I am thinking it.... Sounds funny but after all the waiting, training, build up etc of this race my main concern is its going to fly-by so quickly I am starting to write this from now... Off to airport at 08.00, lets this show on the road!!!!!!! We RUN!!

Left for the airport typically early (thanks Tricky :-) and found myself at check in K - Gatwick South with Brucey in what can be described a 'Raidlight Advertising Campaign' - hilarious!!! Checked in, met a mate Matt from University & since then Facebook :) another few lads before sitting next to a lad Garry from Dublin & Jeremy.... Nice lads, probably going to share bivouac with them.. Fairly un-eventful journey, had a sleep & pretty good meal.. Landed in Ourzazate for a 90 minute customs check, ruuuubish!! So unorganised but Welcome to what will be our next 48 hours.. QUEING!!! Picked up luggage, queued again to check in.. Room no 560 - big lovely room, big beds & checked out the bigger pool / outdoor area and busting to enjoy beers here next Sat with all my new friends and family.... However, wanting to savour every experience, taste, km, funny story, blister and companionship we have ahead of us in the next 8 days... Can't Wait!! Bartered for a 6 pack of water and some Sweet Tea - like a hot sweet mojito without the alcohol...

Quote of the day from Rob from Best of Morocco:

Hi my name is Rob, I am here for moral reasons only!! – spoken in the most monotone, voice ever….. He turned out to be quite harmless and always the source of a little amusement…

Dinner was a buffet, oooohh yes!! Ate as much as I could, the chocolate orange was a beauty..
Night night,
Happy Training!!!!
CS

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS!!!!

THIS ENTRY IS TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS SINCE I DECIDED TO RUN THE MARATHON DE SABLES 2009.... THE SUPPORT I HAVE RECIEVED FROM BOTH FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING SO THANK YOU...

MUM, DAD – I DON’T NEED TO WRITE THIS AS HOPFULLY I SAY IT FREQUENTLY WHEN WE SPEAK BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP IN FUND RAISING – AMAZING JOB!!!!!

HERE IS A FULL LIST OF EVERYBODY WHO HAS SPONSORED ME ONLINE OR THROUGH MY JUSTGIVING SITE - http://www.justgiving.com/charliestockford1

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY, THE LAST ULTRA OF 50km WAS RUN LAST WEEKEND AND NOW IT’S SIMPLY SAUNAS AND FOOD FOR 10 DAYS BEFORE THE OFF….

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU,
HAPPY TRAINING EVERYBODY..
CS

Adams Brian, Appleby Andy, Barret Andrew, Baxter Lesley & Ian, Bell Alan, Bodimead John, Burden John & Ginette, Clegg Gill, Davies Sue & Alan, Dawson Louise, Dawson Sally & Tim, Gilmour Bob, Gilmour June, Griffith Mike, Griffiths David, Harding Tony, Hardless Jennie, Heather Stuart, Henry Rosemary & Giles, Holdaway Rob & Angela, Howarth Del & Jackie, Jenkinson Kathleen, Jo & Ian, Joyce, Lyn & Jack, Lynch Mike, Mac John, MacIntyre Fiona, May Diana & Andrew, Moody John, Nelson Penny & Tony, Nicholson Carol & John, Partridge Edna, Pearce Mike, Pearson Pat & Jerry, Quayle Prue & John, Robinson Kay & Ian, Sandra, Sriven John, Sinclair Mike & Ingrid, Squires Ian & June, Stableforth Penny & David, Sticklen Tony & Shirley, Stockford David & Gill, Stockford Dick & Kay, Troughton Jane & Viv, Wootton Geoff, Rosmary Duncombe, Fran Fragoso (FF), Fitness First, Andy & Annabel, Max Williams, Sebastian Wegener, Legendario, John Watts, Malcolm & Gill, Frances Leonard, Jon & Sarah, Tim and Chrissy, Charlie Blewett, Equipo de España (running), Andy Appleby, Ed Partridge, David & Gill Stockford, Dom, Anonymous, Bob and Dee Gilmour, Mike Pearce, John, Jeanette, Jemima, Penny, Tony and Ellie Nelson, Colin Waggett, John and Carol Nicholson, Steve Kouma, Mike McMahon, Your favourite Godmother, Andrew Barrett, John and Prue Quayle, Sophie & Amy, Tony Harding, Tommy Matthews, penny and david stableforth, Mike Griffith, John Scriven, Stuart Heather, Gary Chard, Kay Stockford, Jo and Jez, Katy and James Rowden, Amy & Matt, Laura T, David Whiting, Viv and Jane Troughton, Rob and, Angela Holdaway, Nick and Heather Coverdale, Rob & Clare, Sam and Sara Abbott, Benji Beill, Kathleen Jenkinson, Dick Stockford, Diana and Andrew May, Kay Stockford, John B, mike lynch, ian and kay robinson, Jerry & Pat Pearson, Alan Bell, Sophie Dalglish

EPIC 4 DAY TRAINING TRIP TO GRAN CANARIA

Day 1 of 4 – Hey all, the start of an epic training 4 days with my MdS partner Bruce Wright – Legendario!!!
We prepared full kit and tucked into the 1st of one of our expedition breakfasts, an 800k/calories hit of concrete otherwise known as – Porridge with strawberries…. WOW!! I needed a lie down after finishing I can tell you. Amazing!! Add boiling water to the pack and 5 minutes later you got 800 calories of energy…. As soon as the porridge had gone down it was offski’s, 30km to achieve and full kit to prepare. We have both dismissed the idea of the front pack but gaiters and water systems fully need testing. Hit the dunes with the gaiters and have to say, not much luck… Need more work on the Gaiters. The dunes were however great fun but damn difficult and distance covered a bit of an eye opener considering the effort put in… I was impressed with the water holders but again, modifications needed. We ran out over the dunes passed many a naked man and woman receiving some rather odd looks, as we were dressed I think but loving the proudness of which a naked man or woman flaunt their always rounded figures, didn’t see many hotties, strange!!!! The plan was 25 km sand training which we achieved. Later on after another 800 calories and a snooze of course we made a 30 min walk to town to enjoy a T-Bone when the owner then ran us home, nice! Day 1 a 100% success for learning and here are the notes of items still to buy, trust me this ultra running in the desert does not come cheap.. Trust me!!
Whistle
BSC Skins underwear - http://www.optimallifefitness.com/
Blister kit
IODINE
Sandstorm Goggles - http://www.darbaroud-boutik.com/index_us.htm
Vaseline
Knife:
http://www.opinel.com/www-accueil-5-UK.html
http://en.petzl.com/petzl/Accueil
http://www.sogknives.com/store/index.html
Windproof Jacket - Raidlight
Towel
http://www.expeditionfoods.com/shop/index.php
Spaghetti Bolognaise x 4
Sweet and Sour Chicken x 3
Chicken Tikka Masala x 3
Mild Beef Curry with Rice x 2
Porridge x 5
Muesli x 2
Nuts, pork scratching
Flags
New Bulbs for Maglight - http://www.surefire.com/
P20 Sun cream
Diarolight
4 x X-Socks - http://www.x-socks.com/
4 x Thorlo Socks - http://www.thorlo.com/
Massage Oils / Vaseline
Kettle / boiling tin
Raidlight gaiters
Spare battery for Canon Camera

Happy Training,
Charlie

Day 2 - Mountain Run!!

Day 2 – The plan for this trip for me was to run on rugged, uneven terrain, test food and kit and in all honesty, test running with another person i.e my partner in crime, Bruce as I / we are both very used to running solo.
So, what did we test?

1. Back-pack
2. Front-pack, water holders and running with full kit.
3. Gaiters
4. Clothing and sun screen
5. Drinking systemsFood – Expedition foods, bars and energy replacement
6. Running together (with Bruce)
7. Running on uneven terrain
8. A night run
9. Covering large distances and ensuring long periods of time on feet over 4 consecutive days.

I can honestly say I am / we are really happy with all outcomes apart from the night run (my fault as we didn’t get to this aspect). I am so pumped about every aspect of the MdS and have a really clear idea as to what I need to do now so WELL WELL HAPPY!!!
Today we set off on a 30km mountain run where we ran up a dried up canal up into the mountains. We were rewarded with spectacular scenery but it was a little cooler than by the sea. We had a few wrong turns which slowed us down but we did enjoy some great runs and only joined briefly by a 4x4 safari course, jeep safari, and camel safari???
Through the wilderness we were guided by phalanges (piles of rocks as markers) but completed 30km on a rough track with hard ascents and descents. Start / Stop was good practice for the dessert ‘The key is to keep moving - Run, walk if you want to, crawl if you have to, but keep moving’ – Wise Words!!!!
I need to buy some ‘Recovermax’ even if for peace of mind I am doing all I can to recover each day. That night we added a 90 min walk into town & home. NICE!! Happy Training,

Charlie

Day 3 - Long Coastal Run

Day 3 - Coast run, best coastal path ever and ABSOLUTLY LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!!
Started out west along the coastal path and soon out of the tourist path across the golf course and onto a coastal route that is clearly only ever found by caravaners and locals… The path was thin and dangerous at times needing some serious concentration not slip off into a nasty fall…. Tricky when there were some hotties below us in some areas… I almost killed sun bathers with a rock fall, but absolutely sensational training. I think minus the ocean could be very similar terrain to the dessert.. I did manage to have a little snooze on rocky beach sin chicks (thanks Bruce) and got me a ridiculous tan line from my heart rate monitor, enough said!!! Think it was a 30 km day with some great photo opportunities high up more phalanges.

That evening we made a foolish error by having a few beers during the rugby - Eng v Ire then a 3 course meal and almost got convinced into buying a really lovely Tag Heuer Watch – Maybe a treat once completed the MdS eh??
Happy Training everybody!!!
Charlie

Day 4 - Dune Day

Day 4 - Final Day and very sad... It's been a really useful trip, learning heaps about ration expedition food, back-packs and front-packs, drinking systems, recovery and hydration among many other things... We started the day off with a typical dessert breakfast of a Full English & Café Latté. Lovely!! Sent an enquiry email off to the organisers of the North Pole Marathon - ha ha ha only 11,900€ so watch this space!!! Had a bit of a sun-bathe and 2 x Margarita Pizza before heading out to the Sand Dunes of Maspalomas. This was harder than expected and taught us the demons of having a couple beers (a massive mistake you understand). The ridiculous tan line/burn was made worse by Anti Venom Pump which I do not need to say any more on other than a comedy of errors one after the other... Sand dune training was tough but made easier by the fact we are both incredibly vein and had a photo shoot.... Heavy on the Sand Dunes, Light on the mileage..... 5 miles - short day in total but did feel a little lethargic...Dinner in Maspalomas again s added another 90 minute walk onto what ever we achieved during the day.All in all a very very successful 4 days with both of us learning heaps from the trip... Can't wait to run the MdS with my right hand man Brucey but I did start already to feel a little disappointed that the last 18 months of hype over this race will be over in 5 weeks :-(
Watch this space everybody, I have a small feeling I could be entering something else very soon....
Happy Training,

Charlie

10 Day Summary!!

Hi all, I hope we are well.... So it's been a very busy time of late.. Work is cracking the whip and time is short but still managing some half decent distances... Last weekend I managed a 40km there and back run on the Saturday and a 140km bike ride (racer) on the Sunday... Saturday was spent on the Anillo Ciclo Verde and then Sunday I tackled the Vía Ciclista Colmenar to Manzanares del Real in the Guadarama Mountains to the North of Madrid - stunning!!! Absolutly beautiful weather and I absolutly loved it.... The bike track is near perfect and lasts for around 45km.... The rest was spent on the Ciclo Verde!!

Yesterday I was responsable for the training of 28 Fitness Fitness Instructors (not actually teaching) so spent 4 hours on a spin bike... Fun Fun Fun so today was scared I might be sore but luckily I wasn't... Headed out in the now HOT weather and was a little under prepared... Did 5 hours out in the heat with a wee lie down 60 mins from the end... I just felt really tired all of a sudden so laid on the grass, in the sun and had a snooze... ha ha ha... I have 3 days rest now before hitting the beaches of Gran Canaria with Bruce for 4 days training... Can't wait!!! Happy Training everyone... 4 weeks on Tuesday Ifly to th UK (my birthday - March 24). 4 weeks o Thursday I fly to Morocco!! 4 weeks on Saturday we START!!!!

HAPPY TRAINING EVERYBODY... SUMMER IS COMING FOR EUROPE SO LETS MAKE SURE WE ALL ENJOY IT ;-)

47,6 km Full Kit!!!

65km - ULTRA MARATHON!!!

Tackled 65km on the weekend... Sore as hell on Saturday night and Sunday but managed it!!!!!
Ran it in 8hrs 5mins and took the full back pack with 3 litres of water - 10am to 5pm no stops, ate while walking / running.... Only 3 x toilet stops and battled with the wind which really really pis*ed me off......
Not much more to say on that apart from I need my head tested.... So I'm off...
Happy Training
CS

Week Summary

The week that was!!! So, its been freezing in theUK - Freezing in Madrid, Freezing EVERYWHERE so the summary is: It's been freezing!!! All in all a quiet 10 days but the Hill Sprints gave me sufficient DOM's (Domestic onset of Muscle soreness). 111km week so need to step it up this week!!! TIME, IF I ONLY HAD TIME!!!!

• Saturday 3 January - 10km
• Sunday 4 January - 22km
• Monday 5 January - Day Off
• Tuesday 6 January - Hill Sprints - 15km
• Wednesday 7 - 22km
• Thursday 8 - Spinning
• Friday 9 - 10km
• Saturday 10 - Day Off
• Sunday 11 - Day Off
• Monday 12 - 10km
• Tuesday 13 - 22km

Happy Training,
Charlie

THE DENHAM / HAREFIELD 15km LOOP

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Its been a good Christmas and New Year - I achieved my goal!!!

I have been in the UK for 9 days and I have run 127km..

That's a total of 14,1 km / day over the festive period....

My goal was 125km in 9 days!!!!!

1. December 24: 15km

2. December 25: 15km

3. December 26: 15km

4. December 27: 30km

5. December 28: Sauna - 1 hour

6. December 29: Day Off

7. December 30: 15km

8. December 31: 15km

9. January 1: 22km - Half Marathon

TOTAL: 127 km

Today I was close to turning around due to the cold but I was saved by Dire Straights - Walk of Life!!! The song came on, on my Ipod and made m turn around... The power of music eh....

Happy Training

Charlie

No Word of a Lie........

So, although I live in a slightly hotter climate to here in the UK (how cold is it??) I have been told of another way to acclimatize to the hot temperatures of the desert....

Apparently if I sit in a steam room for 1 hour a day - every day for the 4 weeks leading up to the MdS I will raise my core temperature by 0,5 of a degree and this is a good start to feeling OK when we hit the hot 30 degrees of heat we will experience in the desert....

So, being as I wanted to get some practice in at this whole sauna thing I thought I would skip today’s run and have a steam / stretch instead... Marvellous idea I hear you say.... Unfortunately these 2 chicks were not in the steam room with me but it did make you more interested in reading this paragraph didn't it??...

Happy Training
Charlie

Cycle Heaven - Weekend 15 & 16 NOVEMBER

Both bikes hit the tarmac this weekend... I kicked the weekend off with the racer as I had been doing quitea lot of running in recent weeks... I was meant to be heading to the mountains with John but he decided to have a big night Friday so wasn't up for it... So, I set off on the racer - covered the ciclo vede 65km plus around 15 km of the ciclo colmenar (a route that heads North to the montains). I averaged a speed of 24km/h for the full 80km taking 3hrs 20mins for the full loop.. Legs were burning when I got back back thats th BEAUTY OF IT!!!

And then on the Sunday we (John) took the train to El Escorial with the mountain bikes for a 7 hour cycle... It was truly breathtaking, so much natural beauty...

We cycled from the old El Escorial Monestry which is in itself is fantastic down to the lakes... After nearly 5 hours of circumnavigating this lake - nearly fainting of lack of food we headed to a nearby restaurant for some food and on anothr 45 mins to the nearest train station before dark fell.... It was an amazing day but one that saw me get a 24hr flu that put me in bed for 24hrs - Nice...

Stay Healthy and safe,
Charlie